Mission Update!

Another week, another letter! I cant believe that he has already been out for so long! Time is flying by and I absolutely love hearing from him. Before we know it, he will be in Puerto Rico!


Hola!

As i predicted in my last update, this week has been outstanding! I couldnt have asked for better and there is still more to come! Today we very well might be going to the museum! Just to go and learn more about the culture here in the Carribean. Our mission president's wife feels it very important that we learn more about the people we will be teaching very soon. And when i say very soon, i mean it. I have already been here for two weeks and only have roughly three more to go! I cant believe it i am really really excited but super nervous at the same time because i do not fell ready at all. Last saturday we went to the University and talked to students there. It was so cool! But extremely taxing. The people here speak ridiculously fast spanish and tend to not speak very clearly. ITs really hard to follow what they are saying. But it was such a cool experience to get out and actually teach people the Gospel. We witnessed a little bit of a tropical storm while we were there. It ripeped some banners off the builing and rained like CRAZY. Also any umbrella didnt stand a chance. It was funny though because it made finding people to talk to a lot easier for us. Everyone was huddled under the overhang in front of the main building. Teh people here are extremely nice and helpful and are very patient and even help us with our spanish as we are talking. My spanish just keeps getting better and better. I can teach the entire first lesson in Spanish now and have done so a few times already.
AS far as my companion, we are doing much much better this week. We had a companionship inventory on friday night. Basically you just talk about strengths, goals, obedience, and conflicts of the companionship and set goals to try to accomplish what you want in the companionship. It went very well and are teaching has improved ten fold. He still bugs me at times but my patience continues to increase (fortunately).
The Haitian missionaries leave on tuesday and on wednesday or thursday we group of Latino missionaries come which is going to help us even more since we can talk with them and practice speaking. I will miss the Haitians though they have been great to be around. This week one of the American Elders decided to show them a magic trick. Something that i dont think any of them have really witnessed before. It was the stuff the hanckerchief in the hand and make it dissapear one, Dad. It was hilarious because whenever he did it they would scream and laugh. Eventually they figured it out becuase he did it so many times, but it made me think about how we tend to take the little things for granted so often in our lives. This was a simple little magic trick, but the fun and joy they felt when witnessing it was extremely large. It made me think how great it is to really be doing what it is i am here for and that i get to witness the immense joy that people will feel as i share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them. Something that i have had my entire life and taken for granted many times. I think we should all take some time to contemplate and ponder just how much we have been blessed with in our lives. It truly will humble you when you realize all that you have been given and rarely ever acknowledge.
I am no longer sick, it was a quick thing which i am extremely grateful for because it was awful. I am doing extremely well and everything keeps getting better. I leave on November 11 to Puerto Rico for those that did not know. Mom and Josh, i know its late but Happy Birthday!! The weeks are a blur, i have already been here for more than half the time i was in Provo, i cant even fathom how fast it is going and i am not very happy about that because it will be over way to quickly. I hope you all are doing well and i will keep you in my prayers. Thanks for all the support that i have received!!!

Love
Elder Baines